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Paradip Port to set up 20-MW solar plant by 2017

Paradip Port will set up a 20-MW solar power plant by 2017, a senior port official said, adding that this initiative would be taken up in two phases of 10 MW each. After completion of the entire project, the port would save five months’ electricity bill, it seems. And, if all goes well, the port might initiate more such project in future to further reduce its electricity bill.

The port official said, for the first 10-MW project, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has been appointed as a consultant and this Government of India enterprise has floated a tender on behalf of the port and the selection would be made very shortly. It has been decided that Paradip Port would invest `76 crore apart from utilising a `10 crore grant from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) towards the project the 10-MW project. Around 50 acres of vacant port land has also been identified for the unit.

The port official said: “In all probability, the project would take 8 months to complete and could be commissioned by June 2017.”

As per the official, as soon as the technical process for the first phase of the 10 MW project gets completed, the tendering process for the second phase would be initiated.

He added: “Finances would not be a constraint for the second phase as well and if the MNRE grant is not forthcoming, the port would invest the entire amount needed for the project. Already, search for suitable land has been initiated. If there is lack of such land within the port jurisdiction, it would be taken on lease. Plans are afoot to start the construction so that by August 2017, the second phase could also be commissioned.”

As per estimates, at present, Paradip Port consumes 18 MW of power which it buys from the state power grid at `6.50 per unit. Solar power would cost `2.50 per unit. Assuming this price difference, there could be savings of as much as 5 months’ electricity bill for the port when both the plants would get commissioned.

The Paradip Port official said: “By 2020, the port would need 50 MW of electricity. If solar power project clicks, port mat opt for more such project beyond this 20MW project.”